W. W. Phelps to Sally Phelps

Letters from W. W. Phelps to his wife, Sally Phelps

Sources: Letters of W. W. Phelps, excerpts, Church Archives,
microfilm copy in Family History Library (based on copy in
possession of Lydia Varney Spry in 1942). Excerpts of letters
were also copied in Journal History of the Church; in "Some Early
Letters of William W. Phelps," Utah Genealogical and Historical
Magazine 31 (January 1940):25-31; and in Leah Y. Phelps, "Letters
of Faith from Kirtland," Improvement Era 45 (1942):529.

We are fortunate in being able to print in this issue [Utah
Genealogical and Historical Magazine] copies of some letters
over 100 years old, written from Kirtland, Ohio, by William W.
Phelps to his wife, Sally (Waterman) Phelps, then in Missouri.
There she had remained in charge of home affairs, while he
performed the duties to which he had been called in Kirtland.

These letters give a delightfully intimate glimpse of what
was in the mind and heart of William W. Phelps during those
fateful days while the temple at Kirtland was being built, and
graphically portray their daily routine and living conditions.
The notes enclosed with the first letter were signed by Oliver
Cowdery, a prominent leader in the early days of the Church.

The author of the letters, William Wines Phelps, was born
February 17, 1792, at Hanover, Morris County, New Jersey. He
was the son of Enon Phelps (Elijah, Noah, Timothy, Timothy,
William, William, James) and Mehitable Goldsmith. Early in life
he was a candidate for the office of lieutenant-governor of New
York. He was baptized into the Church in June, 1831, and
undertook a mission to Jackson County, Missouri, where he
located as a printer, and published a monthly paper, "The
Evening and Morning Star," the first number of which appeared in
June, 1832. While he was attending to his duties at the
printing office, on July 20, a mob attacked his house, which
contained the printing equipment, and pulled it partly down,
seized the printing materials, destroyed many papers, and threw
his family and furniture out of doors. Again on July 23, the
mob renewed their depredations, and William W. Phelps and others
offered themselves as a ransom for the Saints, being willing to
be scourged, or to die, if that would appease the anger of the
mob. The mob would not accept this sacrifice, however, but
continued to utter threats of violence against the whole Church.

This persecution culminated in the Saints being driven from
their homes in Jackson County, in November, 1833. Mob leaders
warned Brother Phelps and others to flee for their lives, or
they would be killed. Despite repeated appeals, which Elder
Phelps helped to frame, to the governor of Missouri, and to the
president of the United States, no protection or redress was
ever given them.

When the exiled Saints in Clay County were organized into a
stake, David Whitmer was chosen president, with William W.
Phelps and John Whitmer as counselors. He took a prominent part
in all matters pertaining to the welfare of the Saints in
Missouri.

In the early part of 1835, he and his son Waterman were
called to Kirtland, where they made their home with the family
of the Prophet Joseph Smith and assisted a committee appointed
to compile the "Book of Doctrine and Covenants." About this
time, Elder Phelps subscribed $500 toward the erection of the
Kirtland Temple. When the Church purchased the Egyptian mummies
and papyrus from Michael H. Chandler in 1835, William W. Phelps
served as one of the scribes in the translation by Joseph Smith
of the "Book of Abraham."

It was at this period that the letters to follow were
written.

William W. Phelps married Sally Waterman, April 28, 1815,
at Smyrna, Chenango County, New York. Just recently there
issued from the press Volume I of "The Waterman Family," by
Donald Lines Jacobus. This shows her as a daughter of David
Basset Waterman (Flavius, Ebenezer, Thomas, Thomas, Robert) and
Jerusha Case (daughter of Roger and Molly (Owen) Case), and her
date of birth as July 24, 1797.

Among their children were William Waterman, Sabrina,
Mehitable and Lydia, mentioned in the letters.

William W. Phelps was an early pioneer and colonizer to
Utah, and served repeatedly in the Legislature. He also wrote a
number of our best known hymns. He died at his home in Salt
Lake City, March 6, 1872. His wife, Sally, did not survive him
long, dying January 2, 1874. A few days after her husband's
death, she penned the following message to Judge Oliver Seymour
Phelps, of Portland, Oregon, one of the compilers of the "Phelps
Family."

Salt Lake City, 18 March 1872.

Dear Friend: I received your kind letter and was glad to
hear from you. I have to inform you that Mr. Phelps died the
sixth day of March, and will have a part in the first
resurrection of Saints and Apostles.

Through all his fightings and doings he has died at a good
old age. Peace to his memory.

SALLY PHELPS.
LETTERS OF FAITH FROM KIRTLAND

During 1835 and the early part of 1836, the Saints were
bending every effort toward the completion of the Kirtland
Temple. Many of the brethren left their homes and families and
came to Kirtland to assist in completing the House of the Lord.
Among others was William W. Phelps. At that time he was the
father of seven living children, ranging in age from nineteen
years to three months; their home was near Liberty, Clay County,
Missouri. Brother Phelps took with him their eldest son,
William Waterman Phelps (then twelve years of age) also to
assist in building the temple. His wife, Sally Waterman Phelps,
and the other children were left alone for nearly a year.
During his absence, Brother Phelps frequently wrote to his
family and many of his letters have been preserved. They
graphically portray the courage and faith of the Saints during
those trying times. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

[In a letter written by William W. Phelps this day from
Kirtland, Ohio, to his wife, Sally Waterman Phelps, whom he had
left in Liberty, Missouri, he writes:]

You are not aware how much sameness there is among the
Saints in Kirtland. They keep the Word of Wisdom in Kirtland;
they drink cold water, and don't even mention tea and coffee;
they pray night and morning and everything seems to say: Behold
the Lord is nigh. But it is hard living here; flour costs from
$6.00 to $7.00 a barrel and cows from $20.00 to $30.00 a head.
It is a happy thing that I did not move back, for everything
here is so dear. Our brethren are so poor and hard for money
that it would have been more than I could have done to maintain
my family. . . .

A new idea, Sally, if you and I continue faithful to the
end, we are certain to be one in the Lord throughout eternity;
this is one of the most glorious consolations we can have in the
flesh.

The Elders are constantly coming and going. Last week,
Elders Simeon Carter and Solomon Hancock started for the East.
Bishop Partridge and Councillor Isaac Morley will start soon:
Elder Amasa M. Lyman came in last week. Elders Peter Dustin and
James Emmett arrived last week and Elder Oziel Stevens this
week.

President Smith preached last Sabbath and I gave him the
text; "This is my beloved son: hear ye him!" He preached one
of the greatest sermons I ever heard; it was about 3 1/2 hours
long--and unfolded more mysteries than I can write at this time.

The congregations of the Saints at Kirtland are larger than
any we used to have at Canandaigua, Ontario Co. N.Y., and when
any of the world come in, we have what may well be called "a
large congregation."

[The Prophet Joseph Smith added the following to this
letter:]

Cousin Almyra Scoby:

Bro. Wm. W. Phelps has left a little space for me to occupy
and I gladly improve it. I would be glad to see the children of
Zion and deliver the work of Eternal Life to them from my own
mouth, but cannot this year. Nevertheless the day will come
that I shall enjoy this privilege I trust; and we all shall
receive an inheritance in the land of refuge, which is so much
to be desired, seeing it is under the direction of the Almighty,
therefore let us live faithful before the Lord and it shall be
well with us. I feel for all the children of Zion and pray for
them in all my prayers. Peace be multiplied unto them,
redemption and favor from God, Amen.
(signed) Joseph Smith Jr.
(Document on file in Historian's Office)

Note: [As a postscript to this letter Elder Phelps adds:]
N.B. If I was able to bear the expense, I would write weekly,
but it would cost $12.50 both ways; I cannot afford it.

Monday, July 20, 1835 [The following is extracted from a
letter written by Wm. W. Phelps at Kirtland, Ohio, to his wife
Sally at Liberty, Missouri:] On the 4th inst. Brothers Peter
Brownell and David Shibley, who went up this spring from
Pennsylvania to Missouri, brought tidings from the region of
Zion up to June 12th by which we learned that the spirit of
Satan had started the elders to do what they ought not to do and
leave undone that which they ought to do.

On Sunday the 12th inst. we received news by Brother
William Tippets up to the 30th of June. He came through in
eleven days and 12 hours, the shortest passage known. . . . He
gave us all the intelligence we could wish which caused us all
to rejoice. He stated that my letter had checked the elders in
their crusade for exaltation. . . .

The weather here [Kirtland] is variable hot and cold; the
lake breezes come almost as cold as winter. Haying has
commenced, but harvest, I do not think, will begin until one or
two weeks hence.

Kirtland, Ohio July 19 and 20, 1835

Beloved Sally:

Last evening we received your first letter after an absence
of twelve weeks and twelve hours. Our tears of joy were the
witness of its welcome reception. By these things we learn the
value of each other's society and company, and friendship, and
virtue. Taking the letter altogether, with all its candor and
information and remembered names, it is, by all who have read
it, called a very good one. Brother Joseph remarked that it was
as easy to shed tears while reading that letter as it was when
reading the history of Joseph in Egypt. . . .

My affection for you and my children grows very fast. I
mean it grows purer and more ardent. I want you to send for
Elder Calvin Beebe as soon as you receive this and have Sarah
baptized. [He acknowledges letters from the two older girls,
Sabrina and Mehitabel and then continues]: Sarah, Henry, James
and Lydia--I must wait to see them a good while yet. They have
my tears and mother's smiles until I come, with the blessings of
the Lord. . . . I hope and pray that the children will be
diligent and learn well this summer.

You say the roof of the house leaks; I have written to have
another good roof put on over the one now on. You can get 12
penny nails out of the goods at Brother Corrill's; and anything
else that you actually need that is among those goods, get and
use and I will settle the matter. . . .

I was sorry to hear that the cupboard fell down because I
forgot to nail it, but now it is so. If there is not crockery
enough at Brother Corrill's, go to Liberty and replenish it. . .
.

I rejoice that that little branch of the Church had the
Spirit of God to reject the temptations of Satan. The Lord will
remember their constancy. Teacher Music [could possibly be
Samuel Musick] is right that you need our prayers and we need
yours, for by faith and prayer and every good word and work, we
can enter into the joys of our Lord. . . .

I am much pleased that Elder Peter Whitmer stepped forth to
vindicate the cause of the Saints; God will bless him for all
such noble acts. He that will do good can do it without a
commandment. The fact is, the Saints must work righteousness. .
. .

The elders are mostly out a preaching. Elder Corrill,
Newel Knight and Elias Higbee work upon the House of the Lord.
Elder Emmett goes to school. Elder Morris Phelps and Priest
Duncan arrived last week. We have just learned that Bishop
Partridge and Elder Morley are back. . . .

The last of June, four Egyptian mummies were brought here;
there were two papyrus rolls, besides some other ancient
Egyptian writings with them. As no one could translate these
writings, they were presented to President Smith. He soon knew
what they were and said they, the "rolls of papyrus," contained
the sacred record kept of Joseph in Pharaoh's court in Egypt,
and the teachings of Father Abraham. God has so ordered it that
these mummies and writings have been brought in the Church and
the sacred writing I had just locked up in Brother Joseph's
house when your letter came, so I had two consolations of good
things in one day. These records of old times, when we
translate and print them in a book, will make a good witness for
the Book of Mormon. There is nothing secret or hidden that
shall not be revealed, and they come to the Saints. . . .

Forever yours, W. W. Phelps

Dear Mother and Sisters: I now take my pen in hand to
inform you that I am well and thankful to God for it. Father
received your letter Saturday the 18th and I was glad to hear
from you and find you are all well. . .

Kirtland has altered since we lived here it is a growing
very fast indeed, but I do not like it as well as home
[Missouri] nor any other place that I have seen.

Our journey here was not as great as it might have been but
I thank the Lord that we got here safe.

I have sent some paper to Henry Rollins and to you.

The building of the House [Kirtland Temple] is going on
very fast. Brother Smith and Higbee say it is a large House. I
assure you they are now to work on the steeple. Give my
respects to all the [word unintelligible] and to Iva and to
Henry, Sarah, [unintelligible] and Lydia tell them I long to see
the time when I shall return home to live. I mean to live
faithful if I can. I live now at President Smiths.

There are now three stores in the town [Kirtland], two of
them belong to the church. They hold meetings in the House
[Kirtland Temple] now.

We had not got any letter from home that some we got your
letter. I have your papers nearly every time to you and Henry
P. I do not know when we shall return home. Tell Iva that I
get along as well as I should in this world. Father has got him
[several words unintelligible]. From your affectionate son.
William Waterman Phelps. Sally Phelps, Sabrina Phelps, Mahetable
Phelps, Sarah Phelps, Henry Phelps, James Phelps, Lydia Phelps

I must stop in the middle of my letter. Sally will
remember that before we came into the church, we both dreamed in
one night; I, that I fed against flock of sheep in a great
Mill; and you, that you drank water out of a well and watered
many cattle: While I feed the sheep, and I forgot to water the
cattle--. . .

Be careful of your words: I dreamed the other night that
Nephi said "How do you do Br. Phelps?" I answered "I do as well
as I can." To which he replies--"He doth as well as he can,
that followeth the direction of the Holy Spirit and keepeth all
the commandments of the Lord and his only."

By the first elder or any honest person that is coming this
way, tell James H. Rollins to send me all the Rice pencils which
may be among the goods &c. I hate to stop but must.

Forever yours,

W. W. Phelps

The three Presidents of Zion act for her good whether in
Zion, Kirtland, or England and have a right to spirit in
regulating the affairs of her stakes. Therefore, when any one
attempts to meddle with her affairs, they will be held to an
account before God.

. . . they may be saved with you, for they will be your
joy with God, and for each that comes into the Kingdom, you
shall have a star in your crown. That is if you keep them in
the Kingdom, you shall have a star in your crown. Babies are
always in the Kingdom until they transgress when they have come
to years of accountability. Well might the Psalmist exclaim:
"Lo children are the heritage of God." How necessary, then,
that every pain be taken, and every means used to keep them in
the Kingdom; and to obey the requisitions of the Gospel that
parents may come into the presence of God and bring all their
sheaves with them; for all their pain, then, they will receive
joy; for all the sorrow, pleasure; for all the tribulations,
blessings; and for all their children, "stars." Methinks
Solomon knew this when he penned the third verse of the 6th
chapter of Ecclesiastes: for if we should not go to heaven with
our children, we should have no joy with them; and if we should
go without them we should lack that glory.

Hence I entreat you with all the affection I have for you
and "our" children to keep them in the way they should go, that
all of us may come in to the bliss of God together, with songs
of everlasting joy.

I know the task of training up children right before the
Lord is too much for a woman, and was I not confident of your
virtue and capability, I should feel very uneasy, but your piety
and prudence is so well known to me, that I know you will do all
in your power to gratify my feelings in bringing up our children
in the nurture and admonition of the Lord: to be obedient, to
be wise, to be good, and to be pure in heart. It may be
supposed, and I know, and you know, that if we had nothing to do
but save ourselves, we could do it pretty easy; but where much
is given, much will be required, and instead of saving myself
only, I must labor faithfully to save others, that I may obtain
a crown of "many stars."

This shows you that the order of heaven has great men,
even principal men, who do much and have much glory; and you
being my legal wife, if you continue as you have begun, and I
know you will, you are next to me; are my equal, all save my
power and authority, and you participate in my glory. O, then,
who would not labor for the Lord? You are in a great place and
if you labor to be so you will be great with me and great with
God. Do so, Sally, for your sake, and for my sake, and for
Jesus' sake. Sabrina and Mehitabel are in the right age to be
light, and vain, when the current of vice and folly can easily
overflow, but be strict with them, even as I, and you will keep
them in the Kingdom as ornaments of your love and glory.

Let others do as they may, square your conduct with the
word of the Lord, and declare that as for you and your house,
you will serve the Lord. If you lack wisdom or information on
any point, write to me and you shall have all the knowledge I
can give: freely I receive and freely I give: forget not your
prayers in the season thereof, nor let the children forget
theirs. Pray for me daily, for so I do for you three or four
times a day. Pray for health, peace, and our dwelling together
in unity. Amen.

Forever yours,

(Signed) W. W. Phelps)

[The following notes are written on the outside of the
letter:]

Sally--lest anything should be wrong, I asked your
forgiveness on all things passed. But you have not written a
word about it. Why? Tell "little innocent Lydia" her father
longs to see her, and all the rest of the children, not omitting
her mother--for her "satisfaction." (Signed) W. W. P.

Dear Sister in the Lord:

Your husband has written you of his health, etc. It is
proper to say that he is doing well, and I bear this testimony
concerning him, that he is humble and faithful. Next spring you
may expect him, if all be well. Waterman does well. If he
continues he will be loved of the Lord, and so will all who
continue to keep the Lord's commandments.

Great things await the earth, and great joys await the
Saints. Soon the Son of Man comes, and then righteous families
will no more be separated. I bless the Lord for that. The Lord
bless you and all the faithful, even more than your hearts can
premeditate. Thus shall it be. My family are well. My wife
remembers you, Sally Phelps.

(Signed) O. Cowdery.

Brother [John M.] Burk:

We are glad to receive intelligence from you and others
concerning the affairs of the Saints, but yet we see a lack in
some respects. The presidency, sometime since, dropped a word
to Elder Lyman Wight. We want to know whether he will neglect
us much longer without writing? There is evidently a wrong
somewhere. We wonder if the elders never think to give us their
proceedings, officially. We want to know from them, what they
are doing, and what they are to do hereafter. Whether they are
about to go forth in the spirit of meekness and preach the
Gospel? A word further, Brother Burk must be humble! We hope
that the melancholy will remember that the Saints always
rejoice!

(Signed) O. Cowdery. . . .

[Sally,] Beloved in the Lord: The letter from both the
high councils to the elders and church in Clay County, Mo.
addressed to Br. Hezekiah Peck, contains so much good
instructions, that I have supposed it to be unnecessary to write
to any but Sally, and inasmuch as you submit unto my teachings
and commands, as unto the Lord, others seeing your submission,
your meekness, and virtuous example, if they mean to be among
the saints, "will go and do likewise." The Spirit whispers me
that the instructions already given in connection with what each
travelling elder will necessarily write to his wife, will be
sufficient to keep every member in the way of duty till the
"Doctrine and Covenants" arrive, when all can choose for
themselves; and if they then miss their way, and are unfaithful
in keeping the commandments, and living by every word that
proceeds forth from the mouth of God, they must be chastened!

I have it in my heart to give you a little instruction, so
that you may know your place, and stand in it, beloved, admired,
and rewarded, in time and in eternity. But in order to do this,
I must show the duty of man, in part. Man was created in the
beginning to dress the earth to multiply his species; to honor
God, and enjoy his presence forever. Hence it is the duty of
man to labor for his living; to provide for his own household;
to cultivate the land; to beautify it, to rear up habitations,
and to have dominion over all animals which were made for his
use and benefit. But it is not good that man should live alone,
therefore it is pleasing to the Lord, that we should have an
helpmeet, and multiply and replenish the earth, raising up seed,
that the earth may be filled with its measure of man: Wherefore
marvel not that a person without raising up seed to continue his
or her name, and inheritance lacks a blessing: For the Psalmist
says: "Lo children are the heritage of the Lord." In the first
chapter of Romans, beginning at the 26 verse, see what
abominations women and men work by changing the order of heaven.
Then one sees why the generations of men have been more or less
cursed, with harlots, whoremonger, adulterers, maimed children,
ungodly wretches, &C. God gives them up to their own vile
affections. This you know is the fact with men and women in
general among the gentiles. The Lord promises to bless the
fruit of the body of the Saints, if they keep his commandments.

This brings to mind "our little innocent Lydia" who, I am
[unintelligible] from what I learn, is beloved and blessed of
the Lord: if I were with you I could tell you why, but (suffice
till I come,) to say that one of the great reasons is because
her Mother did the will of the Lord without murmuring in
bringing that child into the world.

In the 11th chapter of first Corinthians, you will see
that the head of Christ is God; and the head of man is Christ;
and the head of the woman is the man; and that the woman was
created for the man: I might refer you to many other passages
which give light on this subject but you have a good concordance
and you can turn to them at your leisure. God placed man upon
earth to do his will and it is his will that the earth should be
filled with its measure of man. Celibacy is not tolerated by
the commandments, neither is fornication, nor is any device that
hinders the increase of man: This you may learn by reading the
6th, 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th verses of the 38 chapter of Genesis.
Man was created upright but Satan has had him to commit many
abominations.

I shall next say that, man being placed on this estate to
honor God, had his agency given him so that he might choose for
himself, that by obeying the laws and commandments of his
Creator, he might be rewarded with honor and glory in eternity;
that he might become a Son of the Lord Jesus, for Jesus was the
Only Begotten of the Father. Now you know that man was placed
at the head of creations next to the Lord; and the Woman is next
to the man, bone of his bone. If man honors the Lord, he will
obey his commandments; if woman honors her husband she will obey
his commandments, and thus the order of heaven is followed on
earth, and the man and the woman, and the children are blessed
of the Lord, and peace reigns.

Well Sally--On Wednesday the ninth instant, I received your
fourth letter, in 19 days from Mo, by the postmark. You have no
idea how much joy your letters give me: and those who read them
are pleased with them also. I mean what you write with your
"own hand." Your Spirit comes modestly in your ideas, and it
gives me great consolation in my absence from you. I was sorry
to learn that you thought [unintelligible] on a visit to Jerusha
who would take care of our children [four words unintelligible]
who would take care of Sally in the midst of mobs & diseases?
If you will read the 19 verse of a commandment in the little
Book of Commandments, page 146, you will see that you can not
go by water, and to go by land would be too hard for you.

O Sally, don't think of going while I am absent. Now, I
know that no man on earth thinks more of his wife than I do of
you. I do not conceal it, nor never did. I love you and I want
you to love me and write to me that you do. I love to please
you; and I want you should love to please me, and say so in your
letters.

I expect an endowment, I labor to forgive and be forgiven.

I have said so in my letters to you and I think you have
forgotten to mention it in your letters. If you and I tarry
together on earth, and to go the Lord together, we "must be
one." I made an expression in one of my letters that it almost
made me "mad with myself" to think I did not make you write more
when I was home. You quote [several words unintelligible] than
I expected. I aim [several words unintelligible] you do; but
your simple, unaffected modest style does away every other lack.
Just say you love to write to me and that will please me.

Selah J. Griffin and G. [George] M. Hinkle came here the
other day [unintelligible] with Br. Joseph and [unintelligible]
and did not as they returned from Portage Conference. Selah was
in a good spirit. And so was brother Hinkle.

I feel as if Read Peck was not very mad at me as he is a
clerk in the business to Brother Whitney and myself and is
accountable to "me" for his good conduct and not me to him. If
he does not know that I am one of the surviving partners of that
little lot of good, I will try and get Br. Whitney to write him
a line so that he will have no fears nor has [unintelligible] on
that account. Sister Emmett need not to fear, bro. Emmett will
attend to his rent in time. And I hope the Lord will have mercy
on his boy.

If Kelly has not paid you yet, I do not know what to say.
He acts wrong and the whole word is just so. Pray to God to
open his heart to pay you, and I will, and he will do it.

I was truly glad to receive another letter from Sabrina.
The souls of our children, Sally, are of great worth; don't let
them be lost if in your power to prevent it. I love our
children and love to have them brought up right. May God assist
to do it.

I am now revising hymns for a hymn Book.

Nothing has been doing in the translation of the Egyptian
Record for a long time, and probably will not for some time to
come.

Why don't you say how you like the papers I sent you? As
soon as I hear from any of your folks I shall write. Be careful
as you have been to have your letters good, so that every body
can read them (except you send me a private one). Br. Joseph
thinks much of them, and so do I. The rest of this letter was
written when yours came. Sally and children remember him whose
voice you can not hear, but whose words speak to you.

MY ONLY ONE: Situated as I am in the family of President
Smith, with such counsel as brother Corrill, and where, too, I
have the benefit of all the instruction of the heads of Israel,
and the knowledge and the satisfaction of all the preaching,
teaching, and information from all the elders, you must be
sensible, that I have a better chance to gain knowledge for the
good of you, and the saints, than I have ever before had. This
is the reason why I propose to write. If what I write is
heeded, I shall be glad: For the Lord will reward for every
good act, and I mean to admonish for goodness and this glory
that shall follow; and for nothing else. The cause we have
espoused is God's; the religion we profess is Christ's and we
are not of this world but of the world to come; therefore we
must obey the commandments of the Lord, and please him to
entitle us to an inheritance in the holy city that shall come
down from heaven adorned as a bride for her husband.

Perhaps you may have drawn wrong conclusions from my
letters, or some others may have; but verily I say unto you,
they have been written for the salvation of the Saints, and I
ask you in the name of Jesus to begin and read them all over
again, and treasure up the truth. Mark what I have said to you,
or asked of you and do it and great shall be you reward. But I
must resume this subject left in my last letter. In that I
spoke of men: Now I must hint of women: For the man is not
without the woman neither is the woman without the man in the
Lord. I wish you to read the seventh of I Corinthians and learn
for yourself: In Ephesians and Colossians it says--"Wives
submit yourselves unto your own husbands as unto the Lord."
That is keep your husband's commands in all things as you do the
Lord's. Your husband is your head, and the Lord is his head.

Br. Joseph has preached some of this greatest sermons on
the duty of wives to their husbands and the rule of all women I
ever heard.

I would not have you ignorant, Sally, of the mystery of
Men and Women, but I can not write all. You must wait till you
see me. This much, however, I will say, that you closed your
4th letter to me in a singular manner; really it was done after
the manner of the Gentiles: Says Sally "I remain yours till
death." But since you have seen my blessing I think you will
conclude "if your life and years are as precious in the sight of
God as mine," thus you will be mine in this world and in the
world to come; and so long as you can remain on earth as you
desire, I think you may as well use the word "forever," as "till
death." In this world we have to labor, we have to marry; we
have to raise up seed; honor God, &c, but in the world to come,
we praise God and the Lamb forever, and ever, and we neither
marry, nor are given in marriage--do you now begin to
understand: This--is the reason why I have called you at the
commencement of this letter, my only one, because I have no
right to any other woman in this world nor in the world to come,
according to the law of the celestial kingdom.

Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first
resurrection; And what shall I say of him or her who lives till
the Lord comes, and is caught up into the cloud to meet him? O
Sally, Sally, be wise I beseech you, for you know not how great
things must come to pass after much tribulation! I hope and
pray that you give heed to what I write, and I wish you would
let me know that you do and mean to: Now what I say unto you, I
say unto all: women, or wives must obey their husbands in all
things and then they are clear; the husband is responsible, and
he being the head, as Christ is the head of the church, must do
as much for his wife as Christ did for the church; lay down his
life for her, if necessary. This will show that he loves her.
If you read the 11th chapter of first Corinthians, you may find
some good instruction: In old times honest women veiled their
faces in public; especially as is mentioned in the 10th verse
of this chapter "because of the angels" they probably formed
veils then of their hair. I think when I return that my women
will generally vail their faces in public and give no one a
chance to gaze upon what is not his. This modest way will not
lead to temptation, and may be one means of promoting virtue.

I have cried for joy when your letters have come, because
of their seeming virtue and meekness: I should hate to have to
chasten you, but as I love you, so I will chasten you, if you
step aside from what I require, and what I know is the will of
the Lord. You must not tattle; you must not find fault; you
must not be proud; you must not be exalted; you must not speak
evil of your neighbor; no; no; Sally, do none of these things,
but the pure in heart, and you shall be sure of Zion, and me.
This instruction is good; I want every saint to follow it. Look
around you, Sally.--who fills your husband's place in God, to
talk and converse of all that is near and dear to you; and play
with little Lydia? Who fill his chair by the fireside, to
instruct and explain? Who fills his place at table? Who sounds
his notes to praise the Lord? Yea, Sally, and how many sisters
equally good as you, are in the same condition, while their
husbands are away to sound the alarm of the approaching end?
And what man takes time when others sleep to write to his wife
and the saints weekly, except me?

O, if you and the saints knew how my heart burned for your
welfare, how many times I pray for you, and how many tears I
shed for you; (you all, I mean) I think you would be humble and
rejoice. I want to say beware of covetousness: for if there are
any that hover over a little property it will canker their
souls. God will have a perfect people, if he has to destroy
hypocrites and his dissembles with fire, famine, pestilence and
the sword. Oh the horror, the trouble, the vexations that has
commenced, will increase, and shall continue to waste the wicked
and ungodly till corruption is ended! I want to say to Sister
Gilbert, cease to be melancholy; but rejoice; cease to care so
much about many things; tis the willing and obedient that will
eat the good of the land of Zion; religion is the balm of God
for the fatherless and widow; God is love and meekly seek the
Lord, without disconsolation, and he will bless you [write this
little word of consolation for her].

The news here is about as usual. Health prevails among the
brethren generally. Whenever the wind is in the north it blows
cold and I talk of hurrying to Missouri. From appearance, the
season is about two months longer at Zion than at Kirtland. A
letter from the Twelve of the last week, says they will return
to prepare for school about the 1st of October. Br. Marsh was
meek and in good health and spirits. The travelling elders
begin to come in: Kirtland will be filled with them in a short
time. Many of the Zion elders are at work on the house, which
is being finished slowly. It is a great work and will take some
longer, I think, than was expected to complete it. The subject
of which could be most pleasing to the saints in Missouri, I
have no particular knowledge of--that is, when Zion will be
redeemed. Little is said or known, more than you know and is
printed. To try our faith and for other purposes, the Lord says
little to us about it.

Fruit is beginning to be ripe, I have eat a few peaches and
apples, but give me the society of my wife and children and the
saints before anything on earth. Away with flaunting fashions;
away with the luxuries of life: give me the knowledge and love
of God; my meek and modest wife; our children;--the real Saints
for friends, and I shall have more health and joy on earth; more
glory and intelligence in eternity; man [unintelligible] in his
greatness or Solomon in his splendor.

We got some of the commandments from Cleveland last week; I
shall try to send one hundred copies to the Saints this fall by
Br. Wm Tippets. He starts next week. I know there will be one
hundred Saints who will have their dollar [unintelligible]
really, when he arrives, for a Book, we put them at a dollar in
order to help us a little, considering how much we have lost by
the Jackson mob. I would not be without one for five dollars.

I have prepared one Book for Sally, one for Sabrina, one
for Mehitabel, and one for Sarah, and if they arrive in Clay
this fall, I pray God, that maybe made good use of for the
truth's sake. I shall send a few great egg plumbs stones, which
I want Ira to plant near the house this fall that they may
freeze. Ira will also have a Book. Daniel Stanton has gone
home. Peter Dustin started off last summer rather singularly,
have not heard from him since. I fear Peter is not altogether
right.

No earthly consideration is equal to celestial glory. I
know I set as much store in my wife and children as any other
person on earth, yet I forego the sweet enjoyment of their
society for the glory that will follow and be brought to pass by
faith and diligence. If my folks and the saints die faithful
and pray in faith, I shall come home with Waterman the latter
part of next spring and make a visit. And what next I know not
for the Lord has not said. Maybe Sally's the children's another
Saints' faith will be to have me stay a while--the Lord's and
not my will be done.

Day before yesterday David Whitmer and Samuel H. Smith were
appointed general agents to the Literary firm to take and sell
Books among the extensive branches of the Church, &c.

I wear my same clothes that I had on when I came this way,
but they are but little the worse for wear. I have got some
others, but I intend to keep them to wear home.

Sally, I want you should answer this letter so that I may
know how you and the children will be off for clothing when what
I have sent arrives: if you have received the money I sent you
and whether this and what little you may have got will be enough
to make you comfortable this winter. If you can get along I
want you should, so thus I can begin to make my calculations for
spending money by and bye. Write in your own meek and simple
way just as it is, and whenever you want a "good word" to
yourself and don't forget to write me "some good words" for I am
flesh and blood, the very same as you, and love a little
consolation once and awhile, seeing I cannot see you and the
children's faces and hear you talk and pray morning and evening,
nor watch "little innocent Lydia" sit and play. Sally (Waterman
William) Phelps.

Forever,

W. W. Phelps

Sally:--This evening, (Oct. 7.) after waiting patiently
four weeks for a letter, I was astonished and pained, as the
room of getting a letter to see "these words" on the margin of
the Liberty Enquirer, dated Sept. 15, mailed the 19th. It was
written by Warren Graves, thus: "We received two papers, and
seem directed to the Northern Times for you. I am well and
father's family generally. Your father's family. You will hear
the state of their health by brother Peter. Hitty and Sarah are
sick; your mother had the Ague and is faltering."

Of all the news I can receive, after waiting so long, this
was the saddest. What should I say? What shall I do? Could
you not have gotten some body to write, if you were all sick? I
wonder if you sent a letter by Brother Peters, or any body else?
A letter by private conveyance! You might just as well put into
the [unintelligible]. The post office was instructed expressly
to carry letter. But then, again I [unintelligible], supposing
you were all sick and not able to write: Could you not have got
Henry Rollins or someone to have written a few lines? I
expected, after requesting you so much, to have received a
letter every two weeks but disappointment that heart growing
vagrant has been my lot. O that it were otherwise! But what
can I do?--

I received a letter this evening from Brother Covey and
others, stating that Sister Stout had been got with child in
adultery by John J. Fanner. I didn't call such a crime
"adultery." I call it fornication! which in my opinion can
only be washed away by the water of baptism. The law does not
say that such a sin is to be forgiven. It ought not to be--. .
.

Kirtland Mill, Ohio December 18, 1835.

Sally (W.W.) Phelps, Liberty, Clay County, Missouri
Sally:

Myself and Waterman, together with the Saints in general,
are well, and we daily thank the Lord for it, praying constantly
that he will have mercy upon you and "our little ones," and
grant you the same blessing.

My anxiety for your welfare is inexpressible: fires are to
be made; wood to be split; cows to feed; milking to be done;
corn and potatoes to be saved for next summer; children to be
taught; and many other matters that ought to be done by me, if I
was only there, run through my mind by day and by night. I
trust in the Lord, however, that you will do all that is needed,
and so I am reconciled to be patient until I return to my family
post again.

I shall begin with items. In my last letter, I said, "All
that were 'honest' would pay" etc. It should have read "honest
and able." Let Sabrina interline it.

If you have money to spare, Ira or Brother Burk should go
to Atchison and get me the new statutes or Digest of Missouri.
Mr. Atchison said he would save me a copy. If one is obtained,
keep it safe for me.

Let me know about the wood, how it burns, and how long you
think it will last. Be very careful of that Flagelett,
[doubtless flageolet, a small musical instrument of the flute
class] don't let it be mussed and played with: keep it in the
chest. Keep that old Fife book choice. Did you raise any broom
corn? How many chickens? How comes on the last year's and this
year's calf? What for weather was November and December? I
hope you have taken pains to save sweet potatoes for seed.

Don't reckon too much on my coming home in the spring! It
may be a little after before you see me. Keep up your faith and
pray for the endowment; as soon as that takes place the elders
will anxiously speed for their families.

Everything is dear with us: fresh pork is from five to six
cents a pound; beef 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 cents; wheat is one dollar
twelve and a half cents per bushel and rising; corn 75 cents a
bushel; cheese 9 cents by wholesale; butter 25 cents a pound;
and hay and oats high. Without great business or plenty of
money, a family fares coarse in this part of the country. We
have not had any butter for six or eight weeks past.

Great exertions are making in schools; besides the Elders
school, there are two evening grammar schools, and one writing
school; and as soon as the attic rooms are completed in the
Lord's house as much as one or two more will commence.

We have had some hindrance. A large board kiln has
recently been partly burnt, which, besides the loss, occasions
some delay. Brother Corrill will drive the work as fast as he
can in order that he and his brethren may be enabled to visit
their families.

You must give my desires to the brethren and sisters for
their spiritual welfare. To Brother Burk and Sister Burk say,
"God bless them!" To Sister Gilbert, "May the Lord have
compassion upon her in her loneliness." Say to Sister Partridge
and Sister Corrill and Brother Graves and his family, "Keep with
the Lord and you shall be blessed." Brother Musick and family,
"I hope they continue in the right way." I pray for all the
pure in heart. Sister Haist (?) has been greatly afflicted. I
am sorry for her. She seems to think I meant to chastise her in
one of my letters, but I did not. I only gave her a friendly
hint, and when I see her face to face, I will explain it so
satisfactorily.

I am, since winter commenced, getting back to my common
heft. I guess I am not more than 3 or 4 pounds more than 135
pounds. Brother Corrill begins to be quite pussy, and so do a
number of the brethren.

We must be patient. Read CV (105) Psalm.

. . . (four pages missing here.) solemnized in Kirtland,
and if, with an eye single to the glory of God, well.

When you receive this letter you will learn by the date
that I have stopped writing so often. I mean to do as I am done
to; and hereafter, if the Lord is pleased, I shall write to
Sally just as often as she writes to me, for I hope and pray
that the time may be short till I shall see my family. I have
been absent so long now that I cannot tell how pretty, little,
precious Lydia looks, and the rest of the children are strangers
to my eyes; but as I dream of you so often I fancy you have not
altered much--nothing for the worse. I hardly know what I
should do, if it were not that Waterman, as he fleshes up, shows
his mother's looks. He has been a good boy lately.

I want you should send me your height; and bigness round
the waist, so that, if I should feel disposed to get you a new
mantle, I could have it made as they make them here. You can
write in . . . many feet high, and so many inches round . . . in
your next letter. Let me know when Lydia . . . alone.

I want Brother Graves to inform Mr. Rees that . . .
depositions taken in Kirtland, were forwarded to George
Woodward, Esq., Richmond. Mr. Rees can take them out of the
office and charge the postage to me.

The Zion Elders, except S. J. Griffin, A. Gifford, G. M.
Hinkle and E. H. Groves are going to school and all well. The
four above named are out a preaching. . . . attend to Brother
Child's request as soon as I have a chance.

Now may the blessings, love and grace of our Lord and
Savior be and abide with the Saints, and my only one, and little
ones, forever, (Signed) W. W. Phelps.
_ _ _ _ _ _

They bring persecution upon us, but we have to suffer many
straight things because there are "foolish virgins" among the
wise. I hope the children of Zion will learn wisdom by
experience after a while, and please God rather than gratify the
whims of such Philistine [unintelligible], as S [unintelligible]
son's. The elders wives, in the regions of Zion, if pray for
one another, and spirit one another, and teach each other
according to the scriptures, will soon come (and justly too)
Mothers in Israel, indeed! Yea, and [unintelligible] the
Kingdom of the Lord, with a race of Just men made perfect by
righteousness; loving the truth because their deeds are good;
and walking in light because it [unintelligible] from heaven. I
am not finding fault with the Elders' wives to whom blessings
have been sent, but I wish to caution those who are forever
grabbing little and great things and writing them to, they know
not what trouble such practices cause.

I want Little Lydia should be honored in my absence with a
birthday family feast: The best you can get. Therefore on
Monday the 14th day of March make a feast to the Lord for her
good, and pass the day in a sacred prayerful manner. I am not
making a precedent but I want our youngest child honored before
God, that she may grow up without sin; and whenever the Lord
shall grant my return then all our children shall be honored
with a feast before the Lord. Mark my advice and be wise and
holy for Christ's sake.

Br. Child's wife will write to him what she will do. Elder
Palmer of New Portage, saw her and says there is no danger she
will do anything, but her friends are violent. The New Portage
church are calculating to remove to Zion next season and they
will bring her if requested. . . .

The High Council direct a president of the teachers to be
changed. Bishop Partridge will address the subject.

The Hebrew school has commenced in one of the attic school
rooms in the Lord's house [Kirtland Temple]. These rooms are
nearly all completed. The whole work continually progresses,
though but slowly.

I can not tell when the endowment will take place.
Therefore I can not say anything about the Redemption of Zion or
bring you new tidings for her children: you all know Zion must
be redeemed with judgment, (that is, wisdom and prudence) "and
her converts with righteousness." We must be very prayerful and
watchful: you know what the Savior said to the Seventy, Luke
10th Chapter 17, 18, 19, & 20 verses. So likewise, let us not
rejoice in the goods of this world, nor boast of our faith and
works, but rather that our names are written in heaven. If we
could see each other's faces now and converse about heaven and
divine things, it would be like the meeting of angels and we
would hate to part in the short hour.--but the Lord has not said
when we shall see him again, in order that we may be
[unintelligible] and found faithful: which may God grant
[unintelligible]

Mail brought a number of letters from [unintelligible]
Among them one for me, dated Dec. 10th. I immediately called
the bishop and his counsellors on the subject, and we shall
write on the subject again this week. My great anxiety for my
family and friends causes me to answer this day.

Tell Peter H. Burnett that I sold the other keg of printing
ink at one dollar a pound. The keys contained 50 Hs [?]k each;
though [unintelligible] It can be weighed.

With your letter came one that brought the melancholy death
of Elder Christian Whitmer. It made a deep impression upon his
relative and the brethren. We are solemn. God have mercy upon
the Saints in Zion. Prepare the living for life and aging for
eternity. The letters accompanying yours from Elder Harris: Br.
Childs & [unintelligible] are gratefully received and duly
appreciated. Br. Childs is answered on another page.

On the subject of writing letters to the Saints if I had
ever so much a mind to, I can't write oftener than once in 2 or
3 weeks for want of time. I want to study Hebrew, and I have
not as yet been able to begin.

Oliver is come to a state convention at Columbus.

One thing and another keeps me back.-- You want to know
what made me write concerning [unintelligible] letters. I told
you in my next [?].

I am not jealous of you, Sally, but I am jealous that Br.
Fosdick is not right before the Lord.

Your letter of Nov. 20 contained some things which were
wrong and I forgive you as I wrote. What you wrote of Chloe [?]
was contrary to the covenant. See said Book page 125, sec. 12
paragraph [unintelligible] When you said she had influenced or
[unintelligible] Br. Corrill's mind, you stated a falsehood, as
you will see by Br. Corrill's letter. You say to me "don't
praise you"--and then you praise Br. Littlefield.

A virtuous wife should not praise other men in the absence
of her husband. All I want is that you should do not more. And
write to me that you was mistaken, and "that you have offence,
and will do so no more." Now, Sally, in the name of the Lord
Jesus, be admonished to let alone other folks business; forgive
them if they are where you can not see them face to face. Don't
praise other men to your own hurt. Don't undertake to write
explanations: you can not make any satisfaction. When you
write to me, write as you did at first: simply about our own
concerns and the general welfare of the brethren and sisters.
If any slander you or our children, and do not make amends, let
them alone tell the authority of Zion [unintelligible]. Don't
be so studiously careful in your letters to avoid saying
anything in my favor or of showing a little more love for me
than the rest of the world. When I read your November letter, I
was almost tempted not to write any more letters--but I won't
believe you meant any hurt, and I can not say that I think any
less of you than I ever did. And you know how much that is.

The high council and elders of Zion meet tomorrow evening
to fill the vacant place of councilors. It will be a good
meeting to see the Elders of Zion together. They are all well.
I need not name them.

Dear Mother, brothers & sisters:--I now have an opportunity
to write to you I am well [unintelligible] a bad cold. We have
bad weather here at this time. I am expected to go to
[unintelligible] school so [several unintelligible] I hope you
are all in good health.

It is now about eight months since I have seen any of
you--the Lord has been merciful to me many times and blessed me.

Give my respects to all that know me and may the Lord bless
us all.

Farewell till I see you all again at home.

W. Waterman Phelps

[Apparently the beginning of the following letter is lost.]

noon, the congregations became so large, that after the 3
weddings, which I noticed, were solemnized, and the sacrament
administered, the meeting was dismissed, I then went with a
number of the church, to Elder Cahoon's to partake of the
wedding supper. It was a solemn time, singing and
solemnity--Sister Whiting, President Rigdon, and [parts crossed
out--about three words] others [two words unintelligible]. "If
it did not make me think of my wife to be in such good company!
My tears answered and "I cried to think I might rest in the day
of trouble!"

Our meeting will grow more and more solemn and will
continue [two words unintelligible] great solemn assembly when
the house [Kirtland Temple] is finished! We are preparing [to
receive an endowment] to make ourselves clean, by first
cleansing our hearts, forsaking our sins, forgiving every body,
all we even had against them; anointing washing the body;
putting on clean decent clothes, by anointing our heads and by
keeping all the commandments. As we come nearer to God we see
our imperfections and nothingness plainer and plainer.

I can not write my thoughts to you. I can only say in the
name of the Lord Jesus, Sally, Sally! Children, Children!
Saints, Saints! if you ever mean to see me in the flesh, be
holy, be humble, and solemn. O Sally! O children! hear the
voice of him who loves you, and let your tears tell of you have
any money by you that you get for covenants or anything else, do
not lend it out; for I may give orders for it you know not when;
and besides you might not know who to trust, and who not. I
feel sensible that you will be careful.

If you have bank bills get them changed into hard money.
The charter of the United States Bank expires on the 4th of
March next.

One month has passed without sleighing. It has been mud
and mire, and cold and warm . . .

[The above page ends and the next page starts as recorded.
Obviously some information has been lost.]

in righteousness, will do so. Is it because a woman is
all talk, that her husband values her? "A continual dropping
will wear away stones." Is it because a woman is handsome, that
her husband loves her? "Handsome is she, that handsome does."
But enough on this head for the present. I have heretofore
cautioned you against letting any one copy of certain documents
and blessings. [About three words covered up by tape] things
are not written to you because there may be a "Philistine
heifer" like Samson's, to copy it and send it to the four winds,
and innocent saints must suffer the consequence.

I want to give you and idea of the ordination of those who
are sent as especial witnesses to all the world: Don't let any
one copy it, Sally; read it to the pure in heart: and none else.

"Kirtland Jan. 3, 1836

"This ordination and blessing of E______ F_______

"Brother:--We lay our hands upon thy head in the name of
the Lord Jesus, and we ordain thee an elder in the church of the
Latter day Saints, praying our heavenly Father, that he will
bless thee with all the blessings of this ministry; that thou
might be a messenger of righteousness to the nations; and that
thy heart may be prepared for this high calling of God. Thy
Heavenly Father loves thee and delights in thee, because thou
wast of that number that offered to lay down their lives for
their brethren; and because thou hast done this thing there are
many and great blessings laid up for thee if thou art faithful.

"Thou shalt go forth and proclaim the gospel. Thy tongue
shalt be unloosed so that thou canst declare the things of God
to those to whom it is the will of thy heavenly Father to send
thee. And it is not only his will to send thee to the people of
this continent, but to nations afar off, even to the Islands of
the Sea, and to nations thou knowest not of, that the word of
the Lord may be fulfilled.

"How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that
bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good
tidings of Good; that publisheth salvation; that sayeth unto
Zion: Thy God reigneth!"

"And because thou wast willing to give thy life unto thy
heavenly Father, and regarded it not unto the death: Therefore
thy life shall be borne(?) up in the bundle of life with his
life; and God, even thy God will give his angels charge over
thee lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.

"Thou shalt go and return as may seem good unto thy
heavenly Father, and nothing shall have power over thee to
prevent thee from fulfilling thy ministry, which we this day
bestow upon thee in the name of the Lord Jesus: For the heavens
are disposed to be very propitious unto thee. The Lord will
make thee swift messenger unto the nations: And thou shalt bear
his name to people afar off: Thou shalt testify unto them of
the things which thou dost know; for thine eyes shall see the
glory of the Savior in the visions of heaven; and holy angels
shall minister unto thee, and make known unto thee, the
mysteries of the kingdom of heaven; and thou shalt testify of it
to many nations and peoples, and that in other than our own
languages, for thou shalt have power to speak in many languages,
that thou mayest do a great work in the day and generation, and
have many stars in thy in thy crown, in the day of salvation(?).
For notwithstanding thine enemies will seek thy life and art
brought into many trials and tribulations, still thou shalt have
many seasons of great rejoicing for the Lord will pour out his
spirit upon thee, and give thee exceeding Joy in the midst of
all thy tribulations. And if thou art faithful thou shalt
fulfil thy ministry and return to the land of Zion with songs of
everlasting Joy upon thy head,--to go no more out: yea, to take
part in the [there appears to be one more line that is cut off
at the end of page] reign when Christ shall reign on the earth a
thousand years.

All these blessings we seal upon thy head, if thou art
faithful, to gather with many others, (for the heavens are full
of blessings for thee) which it is not wisdom at this time to
mention, but none shall deprive thee of them: Even so. Amen."

Thus you have the substance, Sally, and do be wise, for
when I learn that you are careful to do as I write to have you
do, then will I be encouraged to let you have "things precious."

Jan. 13 [1836]. A Grand Council was held last Wednesday,
Jan 13-- consisting of the High Councils of Zion and Kirtland
together with the "Twelve,' the Seven presidents of the Seventy;
and the two bishops and their counsellors, besides others. It
was one of the most interesting meetings I ever saw.

The next day, Jan. 14, I sat in council with the presidency
to Draft Rules for the Lord's house. The next day, Jan. 15, we
held another Grand Council much more interesting than the first.

On Sunday, Jan. 17, at an early hour all authorities of the
church regularly organized met in the school room under our
printing office, and the presidents commenced the meeting by
confessing their sins and forgiving their brethren and the
world. You know the Lord's prayer reads: "Forgive us our
trespasses as we forgive those that trespass us?" The Lord
poured out his Spirit in such a manner as you never witnessed.
When I was speaking, which was but few words, the Spirit of the
Lord came upon me so that I could not speak, and I cried as
little children cry in earnest and the tears from my eyes ran in
streams; the audience, which was the largest ever convened in
the said room, sobbed and wept aloud.

The presidency and the "Twelve" occupied the forenoon.
There was speaking and singing in tongues, and prophesying, as
on the day of Pentecost.

In the afternoon [17 Jan 1836], the congregation became so
large that after the three weddings, which I noticed were
solemnized, and the sacrament administered, the meeting was
dismissed. I then went with a number of the Church to Elder
Cahoon's to partake of the wedding supper. It was a solemn
time, singing and solemnity.

[missing pages] And reasonable men will suppose, that we
cannot print papers without means, and in my absence you may
want some of the [?] to live upon. At any rate, if the saints
would pay you these, I should not have to send you any money
[one word covered by tape] here. If you can send this news
among the brethren, I think the honest ones would try to pay
you.

I want you should buy one piece of common cotton shirting
such as you need for the children and your own wear. And
perhaps you will want some "Jeans" for Henry and James, such
articles can be bought cheap for cash at [?]. You will want
some tallow, or bees wax and lard for candles, &c.

On Saturday the 7th I heard from Lydia. Elder Coons gave
me the information. He labored in the south part of Smyrna, as
you will learn by the Messenger. He says Lydia accounted
herself a Mormon, but he did not learn whether she meant to get
ready, if possible and come to Kirtland next Spring. I have
written and letter to her and when I get the answer, I will
write you the particulars. I feel confident I shall get her
into the church that Sally can rejoice that she has some own
blood besides [Amazon?] in the Kingdom. I shall try hard to
have all your brothers and sisters brought in. . . .

The letters which Sister Mark(?) sent to Thomas I perceive,
that she is training to be a Rhymestress.

I wonder if you cannot pray to the Lord for the Spirit of
poetry, and "Singing," and give me a little specimen of
"poetess" in my absence, and a fine sample of "sweet singer"
when I return.

Pray for these endowments in faith and I will and the Lord
will grant them to you. No good gift will the Lord withhold if
the Saints are only faithful.

Brother Whitmer's father and mother came [two words covered
by tape] from Vermont in October and have both been [one word
covered] baptized.

There have come to Kirtland, in a short time, a great
number of brethren--the saints seem to "keep all things in
motion."

[Robert] Matthias, the false prophet has made Kirtland a
visit, and found that the Saints know such men to be influenced
by the wicked one.

Very great exertions have been made to finish the House of
the Lord [Kirtland Temple] this winter. I suppose for the last
fortnight, that nearly 50 men, as carpenter and Joiners, masons,
mortar makers, [?], &c, have been laboring on the house. [?]
finish is about half on the outside, and the scaffolds cut
halfway down so that this monument of the Latter day saints
liberality begins to show itself. The lower part of the inner
court is nearly plastered and will soon be finished.

See book of "Doctrine and Covenants" page 233: paragraph 3.
You can [about three words covered by tape] revelation for [one
or two words covered by tape] show you that whom the Lord loves
he chastens.

A great effort is now about to be made to procure a "bell"
for the Lord's house.

I must relate the marvelous works here. There have been
built during the past years nearly 20 houses, mostly very small.
Only one of note called the "Boston House." It is 53 feet by 32
feet--three stories high, it is not yet enclosed. It is almost
a miracle how such a large number of people live, but the Lord
is merciful.

All the lawsuits commenced against our folks, or which our
people have commenced against the world's people, have turned in
our favor but one and [about seven words covered by tape].
Sally, you have never mentioned a word about our suits. Don't
you hear anything about them?

It is quite natural to see Bishop Partridge, Elder Morley,
Corrill, Beebe, and many other Zion elders every day--I
sometimes think if it were not for our being together, where we
can exchange our feelings that time would hang heavy. Elder
Marsh and I generally see each other every day, and comfort one
another by chatting on what is to be!

What is to be when the Lord permits us to come home, and
what will be when Zion is redeemed. Brother Marsh is as
corpulent as an Alderman, and I remain just the same in body, in
mind, and in health, and I think and praise the Lord for keeping
me just so poor: just so common minded, and just so healthy. I
want you to be careful, to do just I as [covered by tape] you
do.

I have told you once or twice to take all my letters that I
have written to you and lock them up. I want to make a book of
them. If you, or Sabrina, or any one, has copied anything, get
them all in--do as I tell you for my sake. The reason is, by
the time you get this letter, the "covenants" [Doctrine and
Covenants] will arrive, and the Saints must learn their duty
from the Revelations. We must live by every word that proceeds
from the mouth of God, and not by what is written by man or is
spoken by man. The high Council and the Bishop's Council, are
the proper authority to give advice to the Saints, and in time
of need they will do what the Lord requires. Therefore you can
discern that my letters are my private Journal--and you must
take good care of them and see that no copies are cut.

I shall continue to write to you all the news and new
things that is expedient for you, or the Saints, but keep my
letters at home. It is a great thing to gain advice--I am a
weak man--subject to the like vanities and passions of others,
and rather than offend one of the children of God wrongfully--I
would beg--I pray the Lord to forgive me of all my iniquities
and I want my brethren to forgive me and even my wife must have
nothing against me.

How can I receive an endowment if my skirts are not clean
from the blood of this generation? My own family are of the
blood of this generation, and so are my brethren and sisters:
Let us be wise, then, and forgive others as the Lord forgives
us, that we may be clean and forgive all, all their trespasses,
or hardness towards me.

My letters are my property. I direct them to my wife,
because she and I are one, and she will keep them safe for me
whatever news they contain. She is at liberty to read [them] to
the Saints, for their consolations, in their loneliness. . . .